Missouri Adventure – Elephant Rock State Park

Missouri Adventure??

Perhaps that is the last thing you think of when you consider Missouri, in the center of the US.  But Elephant Rock State Park is the home of one of those odd natural wonders that hardly anyone knows about.  It is also one of those places that would give almost everyone a little kick of fun and adventure. It is peculiar and quizzical, and somehow shows that nature has a sense of humor. 

The park caught our attention enough to draw us off our business route, and out into the hills in sub-freezing weather for a little adventure at Elephant Rock. If the name makes you curious, be assured that those namesake features can be seen from satellite views, and you really have to see them to believe them.  

Located about 85 miles southwest of St. Louis along Missouri Highway 21, Elephant Rock seems to be in the middle of farmlands.  However, while there may be farms in the surrounding areas, this is by no means typical farmland. The park fringes off the edge of the Mark Twain National Forest, and the midst of the St. Francois Mountain Range.  The St. Francois are ancient, and worn, so they really don’t look like mountains any more, but more like hills. As time and elements take their toll, the surface is in essence polished, and wonders continue to emerge.

There are all kinds of intriguing features in southern Missouri, in what was once the St. Francois Mountain range and the Ozark Plateau.  A ton of them are worthy of exploration, and a story, but Elephant Rock may be the most unusual.

 

 

The park is named for huge boulders of granite that began forming over 1.5 billion years ago.  It all started with some mineral rich magma. As this magma began cooling, it hardened into red granite.  Since that time all those millennia ago, the continuous geologic and environmental events have resulted in the granite breaking, smoothing, and becoming exposed.  The evolution of the area continues, as erosion is unending. But for now, we have the impermanent results we see today: piles of giant boulders called tor, that seem to have been randomly strewn around the park.    

 

 

The granite from this area is often a brilliant red, named Missouri Red.  Obviously where such a stone exists, enterprises have sought to make profits from it.  The area was once the home to several separate quarries, producing stone that has been used across the country.  Midwesterners might recognize Missouri Red as the stone forming the base of the Eads Street Bridge, in St. Louis, or the Missouri Capitol building, in Jefferson City.  

 

 

Granite is still quarried near the park on a small-scale, for headstones, but most of the businesses are long gone.  Geologist John Stafford recognized the value of Elephant Rock, beyond commercial profits, and donated the land for public use.  This soon led to the founding of the state park, which was established in 1967. Now this little natural wonder in southern Missouri is accessible to all.

 

How to Have an Adventure at Elephant Rock State Park

Elephant Rock State Park  is a fun place to explore for all ages, and abilities.  Families with middle-aged children will have a blast climbing through the herd of “elephants,” the pink and gray boulders.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The park also has a fabulous Braille Trail, that is outfitted with informational signs that feature Braille captioning along an entirely accessible path.  This trail is about a mile long, and enables visitors of all ability levels to experience the park. Other trails lead to quarry ruins, including an old engine room, and through the scattered boulders.  

 

 

 

 

The park has a playground, for families with younger children, and numerous picnic areas for those who want to refresh during their adventures.  There are also several small lakes in the park, giving anglers the opportunity to test their skills, and take home dinner.

 

 

Of course, the boulders are the star of the park, and exploring them is a fun and exhilarating experience.  For those who enjoy bigger challenges, Elephant Park affords opportunities for rock climbing and rappelling.  Technical rock climbing is allowed from October through April in specified sections of the park. Rappelling is also possible with a permit from the park superintendent.  For more details on regulations, see Rock Climbing and Rappelling.

 

Getting to Elephant Rock State Park

Elephant Rock State Park is “in the country” as they say, so it is not one of those skips off the highway.  We chose to take Missouri 21 out of St. Louis, which is about as direct as it gets, which took about an hour and 20 minutes. Others prefer the Interstate 55 to US Route 67 option.  And of course, another way is to take Interstate 44, then exit on 185 at Sullivan.  Use the map below to find the route you prefer.

Gas, food and lodging options are available in nearby towns to the south, Pilot Knob or Ironton, and to the north, Caledonia, very close to the park.

 

 

Elephant Rock is a relatively small state park, so it is not a place to plan a vacation around.  However, it is a very cool location that is well worth a day trip, or a diversion for those on the road to other places.  Those looking to make Elephant Rock part of a bigger trip, may want to spend a few days in St. Louis. 

Or, if more outdoor fun is preferred, you may want to continue south to spend some time at Tom Sauk State Park or Johnson Shut-Ins.  Tom Sauk features an observation tower, and the highest point in the state of Missouri, and Johnson Shut-Ins is known for an array of fun water activities.  These parks also have camping available, for those who wish to stay overnight in the area.

If you are looking for some great adventure on a budget, and Elephant Rock State Park isn’t quite what you had in mind, try starting with our US State Parks article, that will take you to a whole bunch of other fabulous state parks.  Most of them are free!

You definitely want to remember Elephant Rock State Park, so PIN IT.